Looking to upskill at work?
While there may have been a time you swore you'd never want to do homework again, going back to school to pursue something you're passionate about or to further your career can be an exciting prospect! Being a lifelong learner is a valuable asset, both in and outside of work.
If you're looking to learn a new skill that can benefit your current role and company, it's worth asking your employer if they're able to financially support your education through a part-time course or certification.
Whether guidelines surrounding education assistance/professional development funds are outlined in an employee manual or not, here's how to approach your employer about getting financial help for your education.
1. Do your homework
Yes, even before you go back to school, you'll need to do some homework before approaching your employer. Research which courses or certifications you want to pursue, and come prepared to your employer with clearly outlined curriculums for each one you're considering.
This prep work will help your employer better understand how your newfound knowledge could assist the company in the long run, or even possibly suggest alternative courses you may not have thought of.
To make the process easy for you and your employer, we've created a Financing Request Email Template that can help outline exactly what your employer will want to know, including course descriptions, cost, and skills you’ll learn.
Download Financing Request Email Template
2. Communicate how this will benefit your employer
If you're a tech professional looking to take a culinary class, you may be out of luck in making a case to your employer for funding! Ensure the course you're pursuing is related to your current role, and communicate how your newly learned skills would benefit your employer.
For example, if you're a marketer looking to learn data analytics, or a developer looking to learn UX design, explain to your employer how these new skills would assist the company in the future, such as being able to take on more ambitious projects, optimize your workflows, or better understand customer needs.
3. Provide pricing
Nobody likes a surprise bill, so be clear with your employer about how much your education will cost. Some employers will cover a portion of costs, while some will cover costs in their entirety, depending on their policy. Ask how much they’re willing to pay for, or negotiate a price point that seems fair for an equal return on investment (i.e. your new skills that you’ll be bringing to the table).
4. Ask at the right time
Set time aside to have a proper conversation with your supervisor about the prospect of pursuing additional education. A post-project reflection or an annual performance review are great opportunities to bring up the idea of taking courses to improve upon your knowledge, and the ways in which it will help the company grow.
5. Be prepared to sign on the dotted line
Once you've had a conversation with your employer about your learning journey, they may ask you to sign an agreement to ensure you follow through. This could include you paying for costs upfront, with reimbursement happening once you've completed the course. This agreement should not only help the employer, but also help you gain further clarity about what is and isn't agreed to upon your pursuit of continuing education.
Ready to level up at work?
Our part-time courses are perfect for career accelerators looking to expand their learning and unlock new opportunities!